3 Things You Should Do Before Turning Off Your Heater Until Next Winter

Mar 11, 2015

Prepping your heater for the off-season is an important aspect of keeping your HVAC unit in prime working condition. Residents in Northern Virginia cities such as Lorton are typically able to turn off their heater for several months by May due to average temperatures that stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit,but it is not a good idea to simply turn off the heat without taking some proactive steps to prepare your system for next winter.

Step One: Prevent the Accumulation of Clutter

You will need the assistance of a professional HVACcompany such as Commonwealth Heating & Cooling for some aspects of your summertime prep, but the most basic prep work can be done by anyone. Unfortunately, some people make the mistake of storing items near their heating unit during the summertime, but this can cause a long list of potential issues. For example, boxes and clutter could attract rodents, and some of them enjoy chewing on electrical cords. Additionally, stacking items near your furnace will quickly turn them into a fire hazard if you end up turning the heat on during a cold spring or fall evening. Avoid these problems by keeping the area near your furnace clear all year-long.

Step Two: Take Care of Any Outstanding Repairs

It might seem unimportant to get repairs completed when you are planning to turn your heater off until next winter, but this is not a wise idea. After all, a minor repair problem that is left unresolved can develop into a major issue over time. It is also important to note that people are more likely to call for heater service at the beginning of winter instead of during the springtime, so you can save yourself a lot of time by taking care of any outstanding repairs. If necessary, you should also consider replacing your heater right now to avoid the rush later on.

Step Three: Schedule a Tune-Up and Duct Cleaning

Getting your furnace tuned up near the end of the season is the perfect way to ensure that it will be in good working condition next winter. A technician will inspect your heating unit during the tune-up, and they can take care of any minor repairs at the same time. Getting your ducts cleaned at the end of the heating season is also critical for your indoor air quality, especially if you have an air conditioning system that will soon be pushing cool air through the same ducts. Removing all of the dust and allergens that have built up over the winter will provide you with a more pleasant home environment.

Take Care of Your Heater Today for Improved Performance Next Winter

Before you turn your heating unit off for the winter, contact Commonwealth Heating & Cooling at 703-436-8028 to perform any needed repairs, duct cleaning and preventative maintenance. Being proactive will improve your heater’s performance, and this will make it easy to keep your energy bills at a reasonable level so that you can save up for a summer vacation.